Desert Voice Magazine Serving U.S. and Coalition Forces in Kuwait
DVNovember 28, 2007
Jumping into Bright Star Safe driving is force protection, saves lives
One of our most potentially lethal servicemember knows the importance Contents enemies doesn’t even carry a rifle. It of wearing protective equipment. DV doesn’t plant improvised explosive We’re not totally defenseless as we devices and cower nearby. It doesn’t combat this enemy. Training devices Page 3 fire poorly-aimed mortar rounds at our like the HMMWV Egress Assistance As the cooler months general vicinity. Trainer teach us tactics we can employ approach, learn to adjust to It strikes unexpectedly, killing at to raise our chances of survival. I know different weather concerns. an alarming rate. It prefers head-on this trainer saves lives because I’ve confrontation, sometimes Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin G. Ashe witnessed first-hand how collision. This enemy is Command Sergeant Major it raises the awareness of Page 4 deadliest when we leave servicemembers who use it. Airmen and fellow ourselves vulnerable by speeding, not wearing Most troops come out of the trainer and say, servicemembers remember safety belts or driving under the influence of “wow, we really should slow down, rolling over alcohol. isn’t fun.” The HEAT trainer helps servicemembers one of their own. Though we are a nation at war, more think more about safety measures in tactical servicemembers are dying in the military from vehicles and in their POVs, as well. Page 5-9 vehicle accidents than from combat. Many of these You don’t have to have egress training to Bright Star exercise accidents occur in privately owned vehicles and realize the importance of vehicle safety. HEAT on motorcycles where there’s usually not a leader techniques are reactive measures. These techniques strenghthens coalition sitting next to you, urging you to do the right thing. are used after an accident has already taken place. partnerships. You’ve got to show integrity and do it on Servicemembers need to be proactive in their your own. You’ve got to do the right thing simply approach. Page 10 because it’s the right thing to do and the safe thing Reduce your speed. There’s no event so to do. These losses can be reduced if we make a important that you have to drive recklessly to Third Army/USARCENT conscious decision to do so. It’s up to the individual get there. When you speed you’re not only Soldier serves with diabetes Soldier to make that decision. endangering your life, but the life of others as well. in war zone. No matter how small a mission may be, all Speeding is an unnecessary risk. If you speed the right measures must be followed. Safety starts and arrive at your destination, you’ve only saved before you even get behind the wheel of a vehicle. yourself a few minutes. Is risking your life worth a On the cover By conducting preventive maintenance checks few minutes? A U.S. Army paratrooper from the and pre-combat inspections, troops ensure their While most deployed troops can’t consume 20th Engineering Brigade, 101st vehicles are serviceable and equipped to handle the alcohol because of General Order Number 1, it’s Airborne Division, Fort Camp- operation. Safety briefings before the movement never good to drink and drive. bell, Ky., and an Egyptian para- instill safety at the forefront of the servicemember’s There are more than enough hazards on the trooper aboard a U.S. Air Force mind. road without drivers whose motor skills have been C-17 aircraft prepare for an air There have been many servicemembers who crippled by alcohol. If you’re going to drink, find a drop into Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 10, have died because they weren’t wearing seatbelts. designated driver. Some of these troops were under the impression Know your local accident procedures. Being as part of exercise Bright Star that they wouldn’t be able to get out of the vehicle familiar with these steps could mean the difference 2007. Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon fast enough to protect themselves if they came between life and death. Know emergency numbers under attack from the enemy. for your area and always have some medium of The deaths caused by many of these accidents communication with you. Contact us had nothing to do with the enemy. They came Yes, the enemy is out there, and the threat Comments, questions, suggestions about because of circumstances and judgment he presents should never be overlooked or story ideas? Call the Desert Voice lapses that could have been avoided. underestimated. Don’t forget that underestimating editor at 430-6334 or e-mail at If you see a servicemember driving without the importance of safety precautions when [email protected]. a seatbelt, don’t let them get away with it. operating vehicles can be just as deadly. Initiate an on-the-spot correction and ensure the “Third … Always First.”
Volume 29, Issue 26 Third Army Commanding General 50th Public Affairs Detachment Commander The Desert Voice is an authorized publication for Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb Maj. Jeffrey Pray members of the Department of Defense. Contents Third Army Command Sgt. Maj. 50th Public Affairs Detachment NCOIC of the Desert Voice are not necessarily the official Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin G. Ashe Staff Sgt. Jacob McDonald views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or Third Army Public Affairs Officer Desert Voice Editor Department of the Army. The editorial content of Spc. Giancarlo Casem this publication is the responsibility of the Third Col. Thomas Nickerson Army Public Affairs Office. This newspaper is Third Army Dep. PAO (FWD) Desert Voice Staff Writers DV published by Al-Qabandi United, a private firm, Lt. Col. Norman Johnson Spc. Wes D. Landrum Desert Voice which is not affiliated with ThirdArmy. All copy Pfc. Christopher T. Grammer Magazine will be edited. The Desert Voice is produced weekly by the 50th Public Affairs Detachment. Find us online at www.arcent.army.mil.
2 Desert Voice November 28, 2007 Weather safety top priority
Story by underestimate the impact weather the historical dust storm (Shamal) that Maj. Greg Majewski plays on our operations. blasted the area with hurricane force 335th Theater Signal Command The success and failure of any winds and blinding sand. mission may depend on how we react Low pressures swinging through Weather safety may seem like to the elements. the southern Mediterranean can a subject of little interest to most If this is your first time in theater, sometimes explode into monster storm servicemembers, but for this believe it or not, the weather does systems and gather a great deal of dust weatherman it’s the centerpiece of change. out of the deserts of Egypt and Saudi everything I do. We are moving into the time of year Arabia. When not serving as a citizen where the weather becomes more and If you get the alert that a major dust Soldier with the 335th Theater Signal more unpredictable. storm is approaching, ensure your Command here on Camp Arifjan, The first rains will be the most troops have the proper protective gear. Kuwait, I work as a meteorologist at a dangerous. If driving, pull over and try to television station in Atlanta. Kuwait has not seen rain in wait for a lull or slow your speed Weather safety is not just small-talk months, so that means the roads have drastically. for what I do for a living, but an issue accumulated layers of dried oil. If you ever have any questions on of extreme importance, keeping people When the first rains fall, roads will weather impacting any mission, check safe from the dangers of extreme become as slick as ice resulting in with your chief of operations or the weather. greater chances for rear end collisions staff weather officer in the Command In the military, we have to deal with and hydroplaning. Center for the latest forecast or check a variety of weather safety issues, Remind your servicemembers online. none more important here in Kuwait when they are behind the wheel to Also, remember to include weather than staying hydrated in a desert slow down when it is raining, and in your safety risk assessments. climate. triple their distance from the vehicle A stormy, rainy day obviously will Remember that just because the traveling in front of them. have a higher risk on a mission than a temperatures are getting cooler, you Thunderstorms also occur in sunny, clear day. are still losing water, so keep a water Kuwait, raising the chances of It is important for every Soldier bottle handy at all times. lightning strikes and flooding. to remain situationally aware of Last year, I gave talks to dozens In March 2007, Kuwait was hit their surroundings. This includes the of schools and community events in with some of the worst series of weather. Atlanta stressing the importance of thunderstorms in years, causing As long as we treat Mother Nature having a proper emergency plan to flooding on many of the camps and with the proper respect, weather safety react to any weather condition. damage from lightning. will be less of an issue on anything we Servicemembers and leaders must Those of you who perhaps were do. also keep this same mind set and never here in March 2003 may remember Be safe and stay weather aware! Kuwait
November 28, 2007 Desert Voice 3 Buehring remembers fallen servicemember
Story and photo by Spc. Wes Landrum Desert Voice staff writer
Chief Master Sgt. John De Castro stood up and faced the crowd. “Roll Call,” he said to the audience. “Airman Farris.” “Here chief,” came the reply “Staff Sergeant Landrum,” the chief said “Here, chief,” was uttered once again. “Tech. Sergeant Ayala,” the senior enlisted leader said. No reply. “Technical Sergeant Alejandro Ayala,” the chief said again. No reply once again. DeCastro, tears in his eyes, looked at the crowd and returned to his seat. A standing-room only crowd filled Camp Buehring’s Post Chapel Nov. 21 to pay their last respects to a fallen com- Air Force Master Sgt. Laura Hoy (left) and Airman 1st Class Michelle Farris, both rade in a memorial service there. from 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Multinational Corps Iraq – Kuwait, On Nov. 18, Tech. Sgt. Alejandro remember Tech. Sgt. Alejandro Ayala during a memorial service at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Nov. 21. Ayala passed away from non-combat related injuries Nov. 18. Ayala, a ground movement noncom- missioned officer assigned to the 586th cian with a very bright future ahead of was notified of his selection to technical Expeditionary Logistics Readiness him. sergeant. Squadron and working for the Support “He was making a positive difference With a desire to help mold and shape Operations Cell, 316th Expeditionary here in Kuwait, and we will miss him future Air Force leaders, he applied for Sustainment Command (Augmentation), very much,” Sampels said. an instructor’s position at the Airman Multi-National Corps Iraq – Kuwait, Air Force Master Sgt. Laura Hoy said Leadership School at F.E. Warren Air died from injuries sustained in a vehi- her fellow colleague cared about others Force Base, Wyo. cle accident while traveling near Camp and their well-being, not about himself. Staff Sgt. Ayala was posthumously Virginia, Kuwait. She said Ayala was the poster child of promoted to technical sergeant Nov. Ayala touched the lives of everyone the Air Force. 18. His awards and decorations include in the unit and in the office, said Col. “He knew his job and he took care of the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Larry Rogers, Multi-National Corps Iraq those beneath him,” Hoy said fighting Force Commendation Medal, Air Force – Kuwait commander. He said Ayala, back tears. “As an NCO I could not ask Achievement Medal, Global War on day-in and day-out, gave his all to en- for anyone else to work with.” Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Glo- sure servicemembers were taken care of. Ayala, a native of Riverside, Calif., bal War on Terrorism Service Medal, “Tech. Sergeant Ayala performed his joined the military in 1999 as a traf- National Defense Service Medal and the tasks in an exemplary and enthusiastic fic management trainee. He completed Senior Transportation Badge. manner,” Rogers said. “His dedication basic and advanced individual training at Ayala was also recognized as a to duty and attention to detail were of Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. distinguished graduate for demonstrated the highest caliber. In over 32 years of While in training, Ayala won the Com- superior leadership and academic per- service, he is one of the top five E-6s mander’s Award as the top student in his formance while attending the Airman I’ve had the pleasure to work with.” class. Leadership School at Seymour-Johnson Lt. Col. Kevin Sampels, commander After graduation, Ayala was first Air Force Base. of the 586th Expeditionary Logistics stationed at Seymour-Johnson Air Force Ayala is survived by his wife, Megan, Readiness Squadron, said “Tech. Ser- Base, N.C., as a member of the cargo their daughter Alexandria, 4, a son, Mat-
Camp Buehring geant Ayala was an exceptional logisti- movement section. In June 2007, he thew, 2, his parents and his two brothers.
4 Desert Voice November 28, 2007 Third Army conducts world’s largest exercise
Story by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg 42nd Inf. Div. headquarters
CAIRO, Egypt – A large-scale command post exercise was conducted jointly this month with coalition army staff officers as part of Bright Star 2007. In the lead was Third Army/U.S. Army Central as the organization incor- porated servicemembers from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps as part of the world’s largest exercise. Bright Star is a biennial multi-national exercise that involves more than a dozen allied, coalition or partner nations in Egypt. “For more than 23 years, since 1983, the success of Bright Star demonstrates to enemies around the world, as well as allies, that we can deploy a division Courtesy photo headquarters, deploy an Army headquar- Servicemembers from the U.S. and Egyptian armies discuss plans and strategies ters, conduct an airborne operation from during Bright Star 2007 in Egypt in November. The exercise is aimed at promoting partnership between U.S. and other multi-national forces in the area. halfway around the world, and insert an infantry company on the ground,” said “There is no better expert on warfare continued, “and tell him that they Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, Third in this maneuver box that we are con- enjoyed working with the 42nd Infantry Army/USARCENT commander. “And ducting operations in than the Egyptians. Division.” you can interface and interact with con- This is their territory, they know how Part of the cooperative training in- ventional forces almost routinely.” to fight this fight and we ought to learn cluded discussion and comparison of the This year’s exercise included a large- from them,” Whitcomb said. two unit’s capabilities and techniques for scale battle simulation exercise meant to Nearly three dozen officers from the battle command. The two division com- challenge senior leaders and staff in the Egyptian army’s 9th Armored Div. com- manders, Maj. Gen. El Araby El Suray, command and control of combat forces plemented the 42nd Inf. Div. staff for from the Egyptian 9th Armored Div. and operating jointly. the exercise. The goal was to replicate a Brig. Gen. Paul Genereux from the 42nd “All of us know that a command post multinational senior headquarters dur- Inf. Div., both led discussions among the exercise exerts pressure on the generals, ing the battle simulation exercise. Joint joint staff. colonels, lieutenant colonels and majors training began almost immediately after “I can not be more pleased in the co- because it is a brain exercise,” Whit- the division’s deployment as members operative effort I’m seeing between our comb said to the combined American of the Egyptian staff learned about the two staffs,” Genereux said. “My goals and coalition staff. “So challenge each Army’s military decision-making proc- for this mission were to safely deploy other, learn from each other.” ess and techniques for the command and our command post and train alongside The computer-generated battlefield control of combat forces. the Egyptian 9th Armored, achieving is based on fictitious nations in conflict “We came with a plan,” said Col. real unity in our two organizations for and a coalition of nations responding to Carl Pfeiffer, 42nd Inf. Div. chief of the exercise. Ninety percent of what I restore security and an internationally staff. “We are here to demonstrate to the wanted to achieve in Bright Star, we recognized border. Egyptians that we are willing to work, have already done.” About 200 members of the 42nd partner and listen to them as we work “We question each other and learn Infantry Division, New York National through the (training) scenario. from each other,” Whitcomb said, “and Guard, controlled a fictitious force of “Our report card here is when our that is the real value of Bright Star.” more than 110,000 troops for the com- Egyptian partners write a letter to Editor’s note: Bright Star coverage
mand post exercise. Lieutenant General Whitcomb,” Pfeiffer continued on next page. Egypt
November 28, 2007 Desert Voice 5 Falling for Egypt
Friendship jump brings together coalition forces
Story by jumping from two C-17 Globemasters exercise, the coalition troops took the Shauna Heathman inbound from a 15-hour flight from opportunity to make new friends by 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Fort Campbell, Ky. helping each other with the pre-jump and Staff Sgt. Kevin Buckley The 107 American, 103 Egyptian, preparations, in-flight checks and with Third Army/USARCENT Public Affairs nine Yemeni, eight Kuwaiti and six assistance after they landed. German paratroopers departed from “Bright Star is aimed to enhance CAIRO, Egypt – It’s Nov. 11 and Cairo East on board the airplanes. the interoperability between the United on Koum Asheem drop zone lo- It took two lifts to deliver all of the States, Egyptian and coalition forces,” cated south of Cairo, Egypt, coalition jumpers to the Koum Osheem drop said Staff Maj. Gen. Esmat Morad, military personnel conducted a stra- zone. commander of Egyptian paratroopers, tegic airborne operation that included Here in support of the Bright Star who was at the drop zone site to watch his troops perform the strategic jump. The strategic airborne operation demonstrated the coalition paratroop- er’s commitment to regional stability by being able to respond to a crisis anywhere in the world. “This was a great experience and a once in a life-time opportunity,” said Sgt. Donovan M. Burson, a 101st Air- U.S. Army paratroopers from the 20th Engineering Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Camp- borne Division Soldier from Morgan bell, Ky., and Egyptian paratroopers aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft prepare for an air drop Town, Ky., and a participant in the into Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 10, 2007, as part of exercise Bright Star 2007. Bright Star is a joint/com- bined command post and tactical field exercise designed to improve readiness and interoperabil- friendship jump. “I was glad to be a ity between U.S., Egyptian and other coalition forces. part of exercise Bright Star and to be here with our coalition partners and be part of something that is a true joint operation.” Bright Star 2007, hosted by Egypt and Third Army/U.S. Army Central Command, was held in Cairo from Nov. 3 to 19 involving troops from 13 countries such as Egypt, France, Greece, Germany, Jordan and Kuwait. The exercise is designed to
Photo by Fathi Hissan strengthen military cooperation, A U.S. jump master inspects an Egyptian paratrooper prior to a friendly readiness and interoperability among
Egypt jump during the Bright Star exercise in Egypt. Egypt, the United States, and other
6 Desert Voice November 28, 2007 “Successful airborne operations go beyond those who parachute out of the plane. It took a great team all working together to execute these airdrops,” Minetti said. “Airmen from Charleston as well as those from bases who provided in-flight refueling were a very important part of our Bright Star team. All should be proud of their role in the exercise and know
Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon the support they provided was out- U.S. Army paratroopers from the 20th Engineering Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Camp- standing.” bell, Ky., and Egyptian paratroopers aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft prepare for an air drop The friendship jump concluded into Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 10, 2007, as part of exercise Bright Star 2007. Bright Star is a joint/com- with a wing exchange between the bined command post and tactical field exercise designed to improve readiness and interoperabil- participating nations. The ceremony ity between U.S., Egyptian and other coalition forces. started with each of the airborne com- coalition countries. While Bright Star our talented active duty and reserve manders thanking their Egyptian hosts is primarily a command post exercise, operators, maintenance, security and for participating in the Bright Star it is also an airborne and special op- medical folks at Charleston (South exercise and specifically the friend- erations forces field training exercise. Carolina),” said Lt. Col. Norman Czu- ship jump a great experience for all The 233 jumpers from the four baj, the 14th Airlift Squadron com- the participating nations. branches of the U.S. military and mander and C-17 mission commander Each of the airborne commanders their coalition counterparts dropped for the jump. “They made this compli- were very pleased with how every- from the Charleston C-17s during the cated, extremely demanding, intricate thing went with both the strategic and friendship drops. Following the drops, mission appear easy – a testament to friendship jumps and stated they were the formation flew a low-level route their talent and professionalism.” eager to participate in the next Bright for additional training. Army Maj. Gen. Gerald Minetti, Star airborne operation. “Our involvement in Bright Star the Bright Star exercise co-director, Editor’s note: Bright Star coverage
was an incredible team effort from echoed his sentiments. continued on next page. Egypt
November 28, 2007 Desert Voice 7 Black smoke rises after a controlled detonation during the Bright Star 2007 exercise in Egypt in November. A booming friendship
Photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Buckley
Courtesy photo An Egyptian explosive ordnance trainer gives hands-on training to a Pakistani officer at Muburak Military City during the Bright Star 2007 exercise in Egypt. Troops blow up barriers during Bright Star
Story by techniques and procedures used to During the exercise, coalition Maj. Tom Alexander Jr. ensure the task was accomplished partnership building was evident as Third Army/USARCENT Public Affairs to standard. the Egyptian trainers took the spe- “This has definitely been an eye- cial operations soldiers from each CAIRO, Egypt – Demolitions is opening experience,” said Paco, a nation through weapons training, a common task for any explosive combat engineer with the French day and night land navigation and ordnance disposal unit. During air force. explosives training. Third Army/U.S. Army Central’s The overall eagerness and the As the training took place each biennial Bright Star exercise, sol- willingness to share ideas were coalition partner had the opportu- diers from Egypt, Kuwait, Yemen, apparent in the eyes of the par- nity to share the different tactics, Pakistan and France conducted that ticipants and the Egyptian training techniques and procedures that common task while sharing tactics, officers. were unique to their nation.
Egypt
8 Desert Voice November 28, 2007 U.S., Egypt practice MEDEVAC procedures
Story by Lt. Col. Gordon Mays Third Army/USARCENT Surgeons Office
CAIRO, EGYPT – At the biennial Bright Star exercise, U.S. and coali- tion partners conducted a simulated mass casualty medical evacuation that began with two days of medical train- ing and rehearsals in preparation with Dar Al Fouad Hospital in Egypt. The rehearsal prepared U.S. and coalition medical personnel for the evacuation of ambulatory patients and strapping and loading litter patients onto aircraft while also providing in- flight medical care. The training also consisted of evalu- ating and treating patients prior to and Courtesy photo during the MASCAL. A medical team Egyptian and U.S. servicmembers practice loading patients onto a helicopter as part of the Bright Star 2007 exercise in November. from Third Army/U.S. Army Central and 3rd Medical Command provided conducted during the two-day rehears- patient care. aircraft safety procedures, litter team al included air evacuation via helicop- On the day of the MASCAL a training, loading and unloading ground ter courtesy of an Air Force squadron helicopter landed on the helipad where and air ambulances, medical equip- out of Koum Asheem Air Base, ground litter teams transferred patients to Dar ment and tactics techniques and pro- ambulance support from Third Army’s Al Fouad’s ambulances. Under the cedures used as part of in-flight care 48th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, supervision of Dr. Sherif H. Abdel Fat- of patients. Tracking of patient care Maadi Military Hospital and Dar Al tah, hospital emergency coordinator, was exercised by Third Army’s patient Fouad Hospital. 16 patients were physically transport- administration. An Egyptian aircrew As part of the MASCAL, a flight ed to Dar Al Fouad Hospital and were provided valuable training on their evacuation team consisting of Egyp- admitted, processed into their emer- medical and aircraft procedures. tians and U.S. Soldiers trained as gency room, examined and treated for The medical evacuation training a team to provide crucial and vital injuries.
Egypt
November 28, 2007 Desert Voice 9 Fighting the good fight . . .
Capt. Brian Courter
Daily blood checks are vital to keeping blood sugar levels in check. Some diabetics may check their sugar levels three or four times a day. Diabetics normally check their blood sugar when they get up in the morning and after meals. Soldier serves in Kuwait, deals with diabetes daily
Story and photos by According to the Web site www. “For instance, at the time, I thought Spc. Wes Landrum diabetes.org, the cause of the disease is a I had to cut out sweets all together. So Desert Voice staff writer mystery. I did that. I tried to stay away from the Many factors such as genetics and carbohydrates as much as possible,” he Capt. Brian Courter thought it environmental factors contribute to the said. “After the visit to Walter Reed’s was nothing. The pain he had been onset of diabetes. Diabetes is associated Diabetes Institute, I got some education experiencing would go away in time. with older age, obesity, family history of on dieting and how to take better care of A trip to the hospital confirmed that he diabetes, history of gestational diabetes, myself. After that, the initial fear went had a kidney stone. However, something impaired glucose metabolism, physical away.” else worried the doctors even more inactivity and race/ethnicity. Being deployed, Courter said that his – elevated sugar levels in Courter’s urine “Diabetes is a disease where your control of his disease has gotten better. samples. Further tests confirmed his body is not producing enough insulin “I’m regimented and a lot of worst fears. Courter had diabetes. or the insulin that is being produced is control is regimentation – taking your “Shock,” Courter, the Third Army/ not being used properly,” said Lt. Betty medications at the same time, eating at U.S. Army Central G-4 battle captain, Ulmer, health promotion and wellness approximately the same time,” he said. said of his initial reaction to the news. nurse for the Navy’s Expeditionary “I became more focused on physical “My dad has diabetes so I kind of knew Medical Facility – Kuwait serving in the training, running, cardiovascular it could happen to me but, at the age of Third Army/U.S. Army Central area of exercise, because they truly do help 28, I did not think it would happen that operations at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. control your blood sugar.” soon.” After the initial shock wore off, his Courter said if you show any of the Diabetes is a disease that attacks the life changed, Courter said. symptoms, it is best if you go ahead and human pancreas. Diabetes prevents “Initially it was a complete 180 get checked out. insulin, the hormone secreted by degree turnaround. I was used to eating “(Diabetes) will kill you if it goes the pancreas to break down glucose whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted,” unchecked,” Courter said. “It’s best produced by food in the body. said the Oscoda, Mich. “Because my to know you do have diabetes than to Currently in the United States, there dad was a diabetic, I kind of had an idea not know. In this case, ignorance is not are more than 20 million people with of the things I needed to do and not do.” bliss.” diabetes. While the number of diabetes A trip to Walter Reed Medical Center, Editor’s note: This is the second cases are high, more than 6 million Md., got Courter on the right track. He in a two-part series on Diabetes in people, one-third of that total, do not received information on things he could November which is Diabetes Awareness
Camp Arifjan know they have the disease. do and could not do. Month.
10 Desert Voice November 28, 2007 Come meet and listen to Just One Question... Dave Roever “What will you be sending home this holiday season?”
“I will be sending home chil- dren’s burqas and scarves.”
Tech. Sgt. Joanne Vega Defense Logistics Agency Class 9 expediter Bridgeport, Conn.
“Unfortunately, nothing.”
This Thursday, Roever will speak with Staff Sgt. Teawine Wineglass servicemembers at the following locations: 25th Signal Battalion Signal NCO 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., U.S. Navy Warrior Transition Tent 1901, Hampton, Va. Zone 6, Camp Arifjan 3:30 p.m., Zone 1 Chapel, Camp Arifjan “Myself. I get to go home for the holidays.” Holiday Mailing Deadlines! Parcel Airlift Mail Dec. 1 Master Sgt. Sabrina Shaw 640th Sustainment Brigade Priority Mail Dec. 4 Food service supervisor First-Class (letters,cards) Dec. 4 Clarksville, Tenn.
Pvt. 1st Class Tyrone Younger “I will be mailing my kids Why I some video games that I just 429th Transportation Company bought from the PX.” serve: Truck driver The Brooklyn, N.Y. Chief Petty Officer Larry Lising native explains why Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 he chose to join the MWR building manager San Antonio military.
“I wanted to do some- “I hope myself. I’m getting thing better with myself. ready to go home.” I’m from Brooklyn so it’s rough out there. I figured I wanted to make Tech. Sgt. Timothy Rassmussen a change and it’s worked 586th Air Expeditionary Group out for me.” Computer Specialist Omaha, Neb.
Kuwait
November 21, 2007 Desert Voice 11 Gobble gobble Kuwait gobble ... Happy Thanksgiving
Photo by Spc. Giancarlo Casem 1st Sgt. Melvin Evans, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), a native of Wilmington, N.C., leads the “Sons of Arifjan” men’s choir at a Thanksgiving prayer breakfast at a dining facility on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Nov. 21.
Photo by Master Sgt. Michele Hammonds (Above) Col. Lawrence Moreland, of the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), right, is all smiles as he serves food to Maj. Luis O. Remigio in a dining facility at Camp Arifjan, Ku- wait, on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22.
(Left)Servicemembers and hotel employees play a game of beach volleyball during a Thanksgiving day celebration in Fa- haheel, Kuwait, Nov. 22. The event was sponsored by the Asso- ciation of the United States Army and Middle Eastern Business Solutions International and coordinated by the MWR.
Photo by Spc. Giancarlo Casem
Photo by Spc. Wes Landrum Sgt. Valerie Christian, Joint Logis- Photo by Staff Sgt. Anishka Calder tics Task Force 10, a native of Prin- Members of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and prospective candidates run as ceton, W. Va., rides a camel during a group at the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Day Run on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Nov. a Thanksgiving day celebration at 22. Over 930 servicemembers and civilians participated in the five-kilometer run Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Nov. 22. around the camp.